Dietetic Internship | Master of Science in Nutrition

Your path to becoming a registered dietitian nutritionist starts here.

Concordia College, located in Moorhead, Minnesota, has an excellent reputation in preparing students for health professions. The combined Dietetic Internship (DI) and Master of Science (MS) in Nutrition meets this tradition of excellence. Our intensive program places emphasis on Dietetics Leadership and instills the importance and necessity of leadership for entry-level professionals in today's dynamic workforce.

Our Mission | Prepare thoughtful and competent entry-level registered dietitian nutritionists for advanced leadership roles in careers related to food, nutrition and dietetics.

The Applied Dietetic Practice courses utilize food service management, community, and clinical facilities throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area and surrounding communities. Applied Dietetic Practice I is completed in the summer between the two academic years. Applied Dietetic Practice II is completed in the final spring semester. All courses other than the Applied Dietetic Practice, Statistics Research and Analysis, and Master's Capstone are offered on campus. Students complete their master’s capstone project in the final spring semester.

The combined DI/MS program provides the graduate study and degree requirements established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) and the Accreditation Council on Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND), and exceeds the minimum 1,200 hours of supervised practice experience (dietetic internship) necessary to become a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). The combined DI/MS is designed to be completed in four consecutive semesters (including one summer course prior to the first fall semester, and one summer in between) as a full-time student, with a minimum requirement of 39 semester credits.

Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics

120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2190
Chicago, IL 60606-6995 
Phone: 800.877.1600 ext. 5400 
Email: ACEND@eatright.org
Website | https://www.eatrightpro.org/acend

Learn more about the DI/MS program from Dr. Meredith Wagner during a recorded Spotlight Session podcast hosted by Louisiana State University on December 16, 2020.

PRINT | DI/MS Overview

What Sets Concordia Apart |

  • Personal Attention | We provide students with personalized advising and mentorship throughout the program. You will have access to full-time faculty and the DI/MS director (100% with doctorates in their respective fields) who are committed and dedicated to your success in the program and beyond. The DI/MS Director will act as your advisor throughout the program.

  • Culture of Learning Support | In addition to dedicated faculty invested in your success, your small cohort size guarantees opportunities to connect, learn and share ideas with other students in the program and undergraduate students. The supportive relationships you build will play an important role in your success.

  • Real Experience | There are many opportunities to gain dietetic-related experience in the Fargo-Moorhead community during your DI/MS supervised practice rotations, or working and volunteering. From schools to local health facilities, the options are many. The DI/MS program director will work closely with you to find the right opportunity based on your interests and academic schedule.

  • State-of-the-art Facility | Nutrition and Dietetics is housed in the new Integrated Science Center. This multi-functional facility was designed to promote strong communication and engagement between faculty and students. It also provides open, inviting spaces for collaborative learning and comfortable areas for study.

  • Concordia Values | You will be immersed in the rich, vibrant culture of our Concordia College community. You will gain a true sense of purpose and focus on what it means to Become Responsibly Engaged in the World. Strong, foundational coursework will prepare you to learn, lead and serve with character and compassion.

More Than Curriculum |

  • Strategic Course Work | The curriculum is strategically designed to help you connect theory and practice, and gain relevant experience. Our ACEND-accredited program is designed to be completed in 21 months, and provides you with the targeted courses to earn your Master of Science in nutrition. Our program places emphasis on dietetic leadership with skill-building communications and business courses.

  • CDR Preparation | Your success on the Commission on Dietetic Registration  (CDR) credentialing exam is our goal. To fully prepare and build your confidence for the CDR exam, you will complete an in-depth review of all sections within the exam, take practice tests, and at the end of the program, participate in a two-day comprehensive review.

  • Master's Capstone Project | The capstone project provides you an opportunity to apply your knowledge of dietetics to research, develop and implement a unique program prior to graduation. You are paired with an expert in the field as your mentor and also work closely with the DI/MS Director for guidance and support. The capstone is an excellent example of your work and valuable when applying for dietitian positions. The capstone experience will validate your leadership skills in the dietetics field.

  • Program Funding | Thanks to a very generous Concordia alumna and spouse, Janet and George Dahlman, for covering Concordia dietetic interns' registration, airfare and lodging costs to attend the Food and Nutrition Conference & Expo (FNCE). FNCE will be held in New Orleans, LA in October 2021.

Admission & Application Information

Review admission requirements for our DI/MS program and the steps needed to apply.

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Goals & Graduation Requirements

Program goals align with our mission and provide guidance and motivation to interns as they prepare for careers as registered dietitians.

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Learn more about what you can expect following graduation!

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100%

Graduates employed within 12 months of completing the DI/MS program.

8

With only 8 interns per cohort, personal attention and mentorship is the norm, not the exception.

100%

The pass rate of Concordia nutrition and dietetics graduates within one year of program completion!

I chose Concordia College Master of Science in Nutrition / Dietetic Internship program because of the balance of internship and coursework. I was able to earn my Master's degree while completing the dietetic internship is just two years. Each component of the program contributed to preparing me to be a well-rounded dietitian.
The faculty at Concordia were supportive of me both as a student and a person. The mentorship provided was invaluable in preparing me to become a registered dietitian.

Annemarie Kettler | Dietetic Internship & Master of Science '19

I chose dietetics because it is full of opportunities to enhance the health of people, communities and even nations. It is a growing profession that is needed more than ever in our healthcare system today. The small learning community our cohort provides allows for a more personalized experience during graduate classes and internship rotations. My cohort has become a huge part  of my support system... we learn together and I couldn't do it without them.

Angelica Anderson | Dietetic Internship & Master of Science '20

Concordia College has offered many opportunities for me to develop life-long friends who are also studying dietetics, but also great friendships with faculty and other students as well. This overall experience has bettered me as an individual and I am looking forward to bringing what I have learned to my future career as a registered dietitian. Our combined program is so great because it offers us direct experience in internship rotations, but also reinforces information that we've learned in the past in undergraduate courses.

The faculty are amazing at Concordia! It is motivating to enter a classroom with faculty who are happy to help you with anything and want the best for your future.

Allison Eikmeier | Dietetic Internship & Master of Science '20

Concordia’s dietetic internship prepared me to be a well-rounded dietitian. The rigorous structure of the program is centered around clinical, food service, and community rotations where I was given ample opportunities to apply and build upon the knowledge I gained from my undergraduate dietetic program.
With support from faculty and peers, this highly personalized system gave me the knowledge and confidence to pass the board exam on my first attempt and become the best nutrition practitioner possible.

Stephen Pierson | Registered Dietitian | Dietetic Internship & Master of Science '16

I was drawn to the Concordia College Master of Science in Nutrition/Dietetic Internship Program because of the Dietetics Leadership emphasis, along with my goals aligning with the program’s mission statement. The variety of dietetic internship experiences offered and challenging course curriculum also led me to choosing Concordia College. 
The leadership experience I gained from supervised practice and graduate courses will allow me to be a leader in my future career. Additionally, the skills and knowledge I gained during supervised practice will help me succeed in my future career.

Rachel Kuhn | Dietetic Internship & Master of Science '19

Curriculum

Take a closer look at the courses that make up the DI/MS program.

PRINT | A complete list of courses and descriptions.

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Program Costs

Learn about the costs associated with the DI/MS program and financial aid options.

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Program Policies

Review the policies and expectations associated with attending the DI/MS program.

VIEW | The Dietetic Internship Handbook

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Accreditation | Status

The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics received accreditation for the dietetic internship program by the ACEND® in January 2003.

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Getting to Concordia

Find your way to the Concordia College campus, located in Moorhead, Minnesota. We encourage you to schedule a visit to campus, contact our admission team.

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Fargo-Moorhead Community

Learn more about the vibrant Fargo-Moorhead community and what it has to offer.

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